DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Rejections - 35 USC § 112
2. The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b) CONCLUSION.--The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
3. Claims 1-5 rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor, or for pre-AIA the applicant regards as the invention.
Regarding claim 1, the limitation “a let-off function of imparting let-off feeling analogous to let-off of an acoustic piano” includes relative terms which render the claim indefinite. The phrase “a let-off function of imparting let-off feeling analogous to let-off of an acoustic piano” is not defined by the claim, the specification does not provide a standard for ascertaining the requisite degree, and one of ordinary skill in the art would not be reasonably apprised of the scope of the invention. The phrase, “let-off feeling analogous to let-off of an acoustic piano” is a subjective evaluation that can vary depending on a style of piano action, manufacture, model, and many other variables, as well as on an individual user’s subjective perception of what may constitute an acoustic piano let-off feel.
Claims 2-5 are likewise rejected for depending, directly or indirectly, from claim 1.
Examiner’s Note
4. While there are related references that discuss structures for implementing a let-off mechanism for a hammer member of a keyboard musical instrument, the prior art of record do not specifically provide teachings for a keyboard device comprising: a let-off member and a guide member are removably mounted on each of adjacent two of the partition walls, and wherein one of each hammer disposed between the two partition walls and the key associated with the hammer is provided with a first engagement portion that is temporarily engaged with the let-off member upon depression of the key to thereby add let-off feeling to touch feeling of the key having been depressed, and a second engagement portion that is engaged with the guide member such that the second engagement portion is brought into sliding contact with the guide member, thereby being guided in a vertical direction. It is these limitations found in each of the claims 1-5, in combination with the rest of the limitations as recited in independent claim 1, that have not been found, taught or suggested by the prior art of record, which make claims 1-5 distinguish over the prior art.
Citation of Relevant Prior Art
5. The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure:
US 20110017049 A1 -- KEYBOARD DEVICE FOR ELECTRONIC KEYBOARD INSTRUMENT
JP 3862858 B2 -- Electronic Musical Instrument Keyboard Device
US 8766075 B2 -- Keyboard Device For Electronic Keyboard Instrument
JP 6930258 B2 -- Keyboard Device
Contact Information
6. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to JIANCHUN QIN whose telephone number is (571)272-5981. The examiner can normally be reached 9AM-5:30PM EST M-F.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Dedei Hammond can be reached on (571)270-7938. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/JIANCHUN QIN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2837
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